Hachiya Persimmon Tree

Hachiya persimmon trees are prized for their large, acorn-shaped fruit with vibrant orange skin. When fully ripe, the fruit becomes soft and jelly-like, offering a rich, sweet flavor that is perfect for baking, puddings, and preserves. Hachiya persimmons require full sun and well-draining soil, thriving in a range of climates with moderate chill hours. The tree is self-fruitful, making it easy to grow in home orchards. In fall, the tree's leaves turn fiery shades of orange and red, adding ornamental appeal to its productivity. With its unique texture and exceptional flavor, Hachiya persimmon is a must-have for gardeners who love baking and sweet treats.

Standard on D. Lotus rootstock.

• Zones: 7-10

• Chill hours: 200

• Harvest: November 15 - December 10

• Looks: Large, acorn-shaped fruit with deep red-orange skin and deep orange flesh.

• Personality: Ready to eat sweet, flavorful, astringent until soft-ripe. The ripe fruit feels like holding a bag of jelly and the skin is translucent. A ripe Hachiya is sweeter than Fuyu.

• Facts of note: Low chill hours, good choice for milder climates. The mature fruit can be left out in boxes at room temperature to ripen. Whole, ripened fruit can be frozen to be used later. It can also be dried while it is still firm and it will become sweet during the dehydration process. The tree is productive and highly ornamental with beautiful glossy green foliage in the summer and red, orange, and yellow fall foliage in the fall. A mature standard sized persimmon tree can bear 330 to 660 lb of fruit in a season. Fruit requires hot summers for ripening. A good variety for drying and pickling.

Pollination: Self-fruitful. Oriental persimmons can be pollinated by Fuyu or Gailey oriental varieties. Native persimmons will not cross-pollinate with oriental persimmons.

Why Choose the Hachiya Persimmon Tree?

The Hachiya Persimmon Tree is a standout among deciduous fruit trees, offering sweet, jelly-like fruit that becomes deliciously soft when fully ripe. Known for its vibrant orange, tomato-shaped fruit, this persimmon tree thrives in temperate conditions and is perfect for milder climates, where it sets fruit in early spring and ripens in late fall to early winter. The ripe Hachiya persimmons, which are astringent until completely ripe, are ideal for baking, snacking, or even making hoshigaki. With careful planting, proper watering, and minimal pest issues, these trees are easy to grow, providing a bountiful harvest of sweet persimmons that you can enjoy throughout the season.

The Hachiya Persimmon Tree is a delightful fruit-bearing tree that offers both visual charm and delectable rewards. Known for its vibrant orange fruit and stunning appearance, the Hachiya Persimmon Tree, scientifically known as Diospyros kaki 'Hachiya,' is a cherished addition to gardens across the United States.

Key Characteristics of the Hachiya Persimmon Tree:

• Distinctive Fruit: The Hachiya Persimmon is renowned for its striking, elongated, and heart-shaped fruit. When ripe, these persimmons develop a vibrant orange hue that is both visually appealing and appetizing.

• Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruit-bearing attributes, the Hachiya Persimmon Tree is valued for its ornamental features. In the fall, the tree's glossy green foliage transforms into a brilliant display of red, orange, and yellow hues, enhancing your garden's autumnal beauty.

• Sweet and Rich Flavor: Hachiya persimmons are celebrated for their sweet and rich flavor profile. When fully ripe, their flesh becomes jelly-like and sugary, making them a delectable treat for snacking, baking, and culinary experimentation.

• Medium to Large Size: Hachiya Persimmon Trees typically reach a height of 20 to 30 feet at maturity, with an equal or slightly smaller spread. They are well-suited for medium to large gardens and landscapes.

Practical Uses of the Hachiya Persimmon Tree:

• Delicious Fresh Fruit: Hachiya persimmons are best enjoyed fresh when fully ripe. Enjoy the delicious and juicy fruit straight from the tree, or use it in salads, desserts, and fruit platters!

• Baking and Cooking: These persimmons are great for baking! Add their sweet and tasty flavor to pies, cakes, muffins, and preserves.

• Ornamental Beauty: The Hachiya Persimmon Tree has colorful leaves in the fall, making your garden look amazing! It's a great choice to make your garden beautiful.

• Wildlife Attraction: The delicious fruit from the Hachiya Persimmon Tree attracts birds and squirrels to your garden, adding excitement and life to the surroundings.

Growing and Care Tips for the Hachiya Persimmon Tree:

• Sunlight: Plant your Hachiya Persimmon Tree in a location that receives full sun, providing at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Well-Drained Soil: Ensure that the soil is well-drained, as persimmon trees are susceptible to root rot in waterlogged conditions. They adapt well to a variety of soil types.

• Pruning: Prune your persimmon tree during the dormant season to remove dead or overcrowded branches, shape the canopy, and promote healthy growth.

• Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring to provide essential nutrients for fruit production and overall tree health.

• Harvesting: Hachiya persimmons should be harvested when fully ripe and soft. The fruit may need to ripen indoors at room temperature if picked while still firm.

• The Hachiya Persimmon Tree is a remarkable addition to your garden, offering both aesthetic beauty and sweet rewards. Plant the Hachiya Persimmon Tree for both beautiful fall colors and tasty fruit. With the right care, enjoy delicious high-level Hachiya persimmons while enhancing your garden's visual charm.

Companion Plants for Your Hachiya Persimmon Tree

When planting your Hachiya Persimmon Tree, consider companion plants that will complement its growth and improve overall garden health. For example, planting nitrogen-fixing plants like clover or beans nearby can enrich the soil, providing nutrients for your persimmon tree's roots. Mulching with organic materials, such as compost or leaves, helps retain moisture and keeps the soil well-drained, crucial for your Hachiya persimmon’s growing season.

Additionally, flowers like lavender or marigolds can help deter pests and attract beneficial insects, promoting a healthy environment for your persimmon tree while it produces sweet, jelly-like, ripe Hachiya persimmons in fall.

Hachiya Persimmon Tree Harvesting and Post-Harvest Care

Harvest your Hachiya Persimmon Tree when the fruit is completely ripe, as fully ripe Hachiya persimmons become soft and jelly-like. During the growing season, ensure your persimmon tree receives adequate water and nutrients, and prune it to maintain healthy branches.

After harvesting, allow the ripe persimmons to ripen further at room temperature if picked early, or use ethylene gas to speed up the ripening process. You can freeze or dry persimmons to preserve their sweet, cinnamon-like flavor for later use in baking or making hoshigaki. Always be mindful of the soil and mulch around your trees to prevent rotting and promote optimal fruit production in the following spring.

Why Buy Hachiya Persimmon Tree From Us?

When you buy a Hachiya Persimmon Tree from us, you're investing in a high-quality deciduous fruit tree that thrives in temperate conditions and moderate climates across the United States. Our trees are carefully grown and shipped dormant, ensuring they establish strong roots and new growth once planted. With a focus on providing you with healthy, productive trees, you'll enjoy the sweet, jelly-like fruit of fully ripe Hachiya persimmons, perfect for baking, snacking, or making hoshigaki. Whether you're in milder climates or regions with cold winters, our Hachiya variety is a reliable choice for a bountiful harvest of non-astringent, ripe persimmons.

Visit our Fruit Tree Central for a listing of all our fruit tree videos and articles.

Visit Tree Characteristics for a listing of all our fruit & nut tree growing characteristics.

Additional Resources

• UGA Cooperative Extension - Home Garden Persimmons: This article provides comprehensive information about growing persimmons in Georgia, including details on site and soil requirements, varieties, flowering and pollination requirements, planting and care, fruiting and harvest, and dealing with insect pests basically everything trees require. It distinguishes between native and oriental persimmons, providing specific details on each. For more information, visit the UGA Cooperative Extension.

• Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service - Path to the Plate: Persimmons: This article emphasizes the adaptability of persimmon trees to Texas conditions, their ornamental value, and their use in landscapes. It includes a factsheet that offers guidance on the care of persimmon trees and a recipe that features persimmons. You can find more information on the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service website.

• Penn State Extension - Native Persimmon in the Garden and the Kitchen: This piece offers an in-depth look at the American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), including its growth requirements, fruit characteristics, and landscape value. It also suggests varieties like 'Prok' and 'Yates' for cultivation. To learn more, visit the Penn State Extension website.